(Eagle News) — A United States jury has indicted alleged pork barrel scam queen Janet Lim Napoles for allegedly funneling around $20 million in Philippine government funds in and out of the US.
Also charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering, domestic money laundering, and international money laundering were her children Jo Christine, James Christopher, and Jeane Catherine; brother Reynald Luy Lim, and his wife Ana Marie.
In a statement, the US justice department said Napoles and around 20 Filipino government officials diverted Philippine government funds, including the lawmakers’ Priority Development Assistance Funds, to her bogus non-government organizations.
It said around $20 million was wired to Southern California bank accounts, “to purchase real estate, shares in two businesses, two Porsche Boxsters, and finance the living expenses of three family members residing in the United States: Jeane Napoles, Reynald Lim, and Ana Lim.”
“If the court orders the assets forfeited, the United States will work with Philippine officials in an attempt to return the stolen funds back to the Philippine government,” the statement said.
Napoles, who is detained in Camp Bagong Diwa, is facing separate plunder and graft cases before the Sandiganbayan in connection with the pork barrel scam.